Jordan Shimmell withdraws from Detroit boxing match, will fight in Kalamazoo on March 23

Boxer Jordan Shimmell has withdrawn from the Detroit fight card on March 7.Cory Olsen | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Fight fans will have to wait a bit longer to see West Michigan favorite Jordan Shimmell in action.

Shimmell, (8-0, 7 KOs), had planned on fighting in the MotorCity Casino's Night of Knockouts III in Detroit on Thursday, March 7 but has withdrawn due to a lack of opponent.

Dennis Shimmell, Jordan's father and trainer, said it's becoming increasingly more difficult to put together quality fights for his son.

"We couldn't find one that was suitable," Dennis said. "You can find opponents but the price goes way too high. They want too much money. We found a couple and they agreed to it, but when we send them a contract, they don't sign then disappear."

Adding to the problem is Jordan's reputation for punishing fighters and ending things quickly, usually within the first two rounds.

"He's OK with it," Dennis said. "He doesn't let much bug him. It's part of boxing and he's used to it. When he started boxing at eight years old, he thought that whenever he went to a show he'd be boxing every time, but oftentimes you go and can't find an opponent."

"The first couple of years we'd go to like 20 shows a year and he'd maybe fight in five of those," Dennis said. "You just have to be ready every time. It's a big part of amateur boxing and it's a big part of the pros, too."

His opponent for that fight is already locked-in: he'll be fighting Brad Johnson (2-0, 2 KOs) of Lansing.

"It definitely is getting more difficult in some ways to get opponents now," Dennis said. "If you secure them early it's easier because they have plenty of time to train and they feel better about it."

Holland's Thomas Amaro (2-0) is still on the Detroit card in a six round bout versus Tony Harrison (11-0, 8 KOs).